POLL: Following the Failed Budget, How Should Mount Sinai Proceed?

Anton May 24, 2012 at 03:59 pm

Judging from what has happened, I would say any budget that includes cuts in programs without any further cutting of administrative salaries/positions and possibly teaching positions will fail, and they will end up with a contingency budget. Just my opinion. Miller Place knew better than to pierce the cap, it never would have passed. People are tired of paying more for less.

Reasonable Voice May 24, 2012 at 09:17 pm

Schools are the cornerstone of our democracy and education is the key to the future of our nation. It is important for residents to support our schools. However, it is also important for our school boards and administrators to act responsibly. The demise of the Mount Sinai School District has been its collective bargaining. In a district with moderate property wealth, teachers should not be among the highest paid on Long Island. Nor should the administrators. And how does a board negotiate a contract that prevents them from laying off teachers or administrators? I commend the teachers for the concessions they have made, but where are the administrators? Should we have directors who are among the highest paid in the state? Some of these folks could take a ten year pay freeze and still be overpaid when compared to their counterparts in similar districts. Good luck to our new superintendent who is going to have to clean this mess up.

Jim May 25, 2012 at 02:47 pm

The majority of Mount Sinai voters DID vote to pass the budget. However, due to the new law that requires a 60% majority to pierce the cap, the budget was defeated. As a voter, I am uneasy with a law that gives more weight to some voters as opposed to others. In this case, a "no" vote counts more than a "yes' vote, thus giving those who oppose the budget more power.

Matthew Lott May 25, 2012 at 03:45 pm

Jim, The vote was for the school budget that was submitted to voters, as OVER the NYS property tax cap.
You are disguising what happened with semantics and incomplete information. Are you a school district employee whose job is "on the chopping block" ? Sounds like it.

Jim May 25, 2012 at 05:15 pm

Nope....just a person who has the right to express an opinion regarding NOT having his voice given equal weight as others. Not really sure what "semantics and incomplete information" I am giving:
Fact: more than 50% is a majority Fact: if a super majority is requitred, a "no" vote counts more than a yes vote I fail to see the semantics and incomplete information in my statement. Interesting though, how if an opinion is different than yours, you assume the person is a school district employee...

Matthew Lott May 25, 2012 at 07:15 pm

The NYS tax cap guidelines for local governments, school districts and fire districts are uploaded above.

Al Hoehll May 26, 2012 at 03:52 pm

No matter what your opinion is you have to make sure you vote this time!!!

Al Hoehll May 26, 2012 at 05:23 pm

Hopefully they put up a slightly revised budget which keeps intact the programs, activities, most clubs and sports programs for the kids. Most importantly though is that every vote DOES count!!! Make sure you vote!!!